Trap.



J. TIPPETT.

TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 15, 1911.

"Patented May14, 1912.

- 7 5wmtox John 2 91276 66- COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co.. WASHINGTON. D. c.

JOHN TIPPETT, OF MOGOLLON, NEW MEXICO.

TRAP.

. Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 15, 1911.

Patented May 14, 1912. Serial No. 660,521.

To all whomz't may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN TIPPETT, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Mogollon, in the county of Socorro and State of NewMexico, have invented new and useful Improvements in Traps, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in traps and more particularly totraps for catching large animals such as bears and the like.

In carrying out the present invention, it is my purpose to provide atrap of this character whereby an animal may be caught and securelyheld, the jaws of the trap being constructed in such a manner as toretain the animal in their embrace when the said jaws have beenoperated.

A further object of this invention is to provide a trap of the abovecharacter, in which trigger plates shall be mounted at each side of thebase and connected thereto for pivotal movement whereby upon theoperation of the plates the trigger will be released to efl ect theoperation of the jaws.

With the above and other objects in View the invention consists in theconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafterdescribed, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings whereinis shown the preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a trap constructed in accordance withthe present invention. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the same, andFig. 3 is a transverse section through the trigger mechanism.

Similar reference characters designate like parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings A designatesthe base of a trap constructed of metal or any other suitable materialand provided adjacent one end with oppositely disposed laterallyprojecting feet 1, which latter are preferably formed integral with thebase and serve to securely hold the same in an operative position. Eachof the feet 1 has struck up therefrom a pintle 2 to which is pivotallyconnected a trigger actuating plate 3 which latter has a portion at oneside and intermediate its length cut out and bent upon itself to form aneye 4 adapted to receive the pintle 2whereby the trigger actuatingplates may be pivoted to the feet 1. One of the trigger actuating plates3 has, preferably struck up therefrom, a pintle to which is pivotallyconnected one end of a trigger 6, the pivoted end of the trigger beingbent upon itself to provide an eye 7 to receive the pintle 5. Struck upfrom the opposite plate 3 is a tongue 8 designed to be engaged by thefree end of the trigger 6 in the setting of the trap.

The opposite end of the base A has fixed thereto a spring 9, the freeend of which is provided with a slot 10 designed to receive and operatethe jaws 11 of the trap upon the release of the trigger.

The jaws 11 comprise elongated metallic strips or bars curved towardeach other at their upper ends and adapted to form a substantially ovalopening in the operation of the trap whereby the animal may be retainedbetween the jaw members. Each of the jaw members 11 is provided uponopposite sides with spurs or prongs 12 designed to bite into the animalin the event of his trying to release himself. The opposite ends of thejaw members 11 are bent upon themselves to provide eyes 13 adapted toengage pintles 14. which latter are preferably struck up from the base Aof the trap intermediate the width of the said base between the feet 1.

To set the trap, the spring 9 is first pressed downward upon the base A,and the jaws 11 spread apart as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing,after which the trigger plates 3 are given a slight pivotal movementupon their pintles so that the trigger 6 may be swungon its pintle andengaged under the tongue 8. In this position of the plate it will beseen that the spring 9 is held inoperative by reason of the connectionbetween the trigger actuating plates.

From this construction it will be seen that the trap may be operatedfrom either side, and when an animal steps upon one of the plates 3, thetrigger will be disengaged from the tongue 8 whereby the spring 9 willmove in an upward direction thereby closing the jaws around the animal.

A lug 15 is formed upon each of the jaw members preferably below thespurs 12 to limit the upward movement of the spring. The trigger 6intermediate its length is provided with a hook or other suitable baitholding device.

Having thus described my invention What I claim and desire to secure byLetters- Patent is:

1. A trap of the class described comprising a base, feet formed integralwith the base and projecting laterally therefrom, jaw members pivoted tothe base, a spring fixed to the base and adapted to operate saidjawmembers, trigger actuating plates pivoted upon said feet, a triggerpivoted to one of said plates and adapted to hold said jaws in openposition, and means carried by the other of said plates to hold thetrigger against the action of the spring.

2. A trap of the class described comprising a base, a foot projectinglaterally from each side of the base, a trigger actuating plate pivotedupon each foot, a pair of jaws pivoted upon the base, a spring foroperating said jaws, and a trigger mounted upon one of said plates andadapted to be engaged by the other of said plates to hold the jaws inopen position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

JOHN TIPPETT.

WVit-nesses E. T. BURNS, O. B. CLARK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner oi Patents, Washington, D. G.

